Taking a nice picture can be tough.
We’re not all naturally photogenic, and being ordered to smile on command can result in some seriously awkward expressions.
But, for one dog in China, smiling comes as naturally as wagging his tail!
Meet Dior.
Dior is a celebrity golden retriever, known throughout China for his adorable grin.
According to DogTime, golden retrievers are one of the most popular types of dogs in the United States They’re excellent hunters, natural athletes, and one of the most intelligent breeds out there.
In a survey conducted by Stanley Coren for his book The Intelligence of Dogs, dog obedience judges ranked golden retrievers as the fourth smartest breed of dog, coming in right after border collies, poodles, and German Shepherds.
In November of 2015, a video of a golden retriever named Dior smiling was aired on China’s Anhui Sattelite TV Station. People loved the pup’s toothy grin and the video was quickly distributed by various Chinese media outlets.
The 30-second clip opens with a view of a solemn-looking Dior sitting in front of a camera in a bedroom.
“It’s time for a photo Dior. Don’t be so serious,” the woman tells the retriever. “Quick, give me a smile.”
Dior’s owner preps him for the photo by counting to 3. Then, she asks him to beam.
Without missing a beat, the intelligent canine bares his pearly whites in an adorable, furry smile!
His owner is clearly amused by his antics, praising the posing pup and telling him how handsome he is while she takes his photo.
According to the Daily Mail, the identity of Dior’s owner (and her whereabouts) remains unknown but, as mentioned, the video is extremely well-known in Chinese regions. The video later became popular in the West following its pickup by the company Newsflare, which boasts itself as an “online video news community” and “marketplace for user-generated content”.
Since being popularized by Newsflare, publications like the Telegraph, Daily Mail, and Huffington Post have all written pieces about the video, making Dior the golden retriever a veritable international celebrity!
Interestingly, according to an ASPCA article entitled “7 Tips on Canine Body Language”, dogs are known to have relaxed body language while feeling content. This includes the muscles of the face which, when relaxed, make a dog’s mouth open and the corners turn upwards— a real-life smile!
If you’d like to see more smiling dogs like Dior, check out these hilariously cute photographs curated by Buzzfeed!
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